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Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addresses press briefing today (May 16) at Jamaica house to update the nation on the impact of the inclement weather and how students were able to sit examinations.+-

Photo: Rundranath FraserMinister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addresses press briefing today (May 16) at Jamaica house to update the nation on the impact of the inclement weather and how students were able to sit examinations.

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Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says most students were able to sit their exit secondary examinations today (May 16).

“We had a few students… from the Buff Bay Valley in Portland and a few across the country (who weren’t able to). The procedure for students who have missed their exams is that they would have to report to the school directly, and we will send a report to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and they will make a determination as to what remedy they are likely to offer,” Senator Reid explained.

Parishes affected by the persistent heavy rainfall are St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, Westmorland, St. Mary Portland and St. Ann.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says most students were able to sit their exit secondary examinations today (May 16).

“We had a few students… from the Buff Bay Valley in Portland and a few across the country (who weren’t able to). The procedure for students who have missed their exams is that they would have to report to the school directly, and we will send a report to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and they will make a determination as to what remedy they are likely to offer,” Senator Reid explained.

The Minister was addressing a press briefing held at Jamaica House to update the nation on the impact of the heavy rains that have been affecting the island since Saturday (May 13).

“There are usually two remedies; either we do a supplementary paper, depending on how many students across the island have been affected, and the other alternative would be to use internal grades and forecast grades as the final determination of their scores,” he added.

Parishes affected by the persistent heavy rainfall are St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, Westmorland, St. Mary Portland and St. Ann.

Educational institutions across the island remained closed. Students who were due to sit Industrial Technology, Textiles and Clothing, Agriculture, Mechanical Engineering, French, Computer Science, Geography, Entrepreneurship, and Electrical and Electronic Technology were advised to go the nearest examination centre if possible.

Meanwhile, Senator Reid said schools should reopen tomorrow (May 17), while noting that the local authorities and the Regional Directors will manage the reopening on the ground.

“So, we will assess the accessibility to our schools. Some of them would have had some leaks, and so some cleaning up will have to take place. We are going to monitor the situation and give the public regular updates on the matter,” Senator Reid said.